Science

The Animal Sensemaker

by The Observer

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Latest episodes

Purple frogs: an annual ritual

July 4, 2025 · 9 min

Once a year purple frogs come above ground to mate but in doing so, they face a whole host of challenges. The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge. To find out…
Dugong: seagrass and karaoke bars

June 27, 2025 · 10 min

Given how much seagrass Dugongs consume everyday, they're often referred to as sea cows. But when they're not busy eating, how do they communicate with each other? The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world…
Great Green Macaw: picky eaters and favourite trees

June 20, 2025 · 10 min

Found across Central and South America, the Great Green Macaw is the world’s second largest. Despite having a lush rainforest to choose from though, the macaw quite particular when it comes to food and nesting sites. To find out more…
Nguru pygmy chameleon: forest floors and fast tongues

June 13, 2025 · 8 min

No bigger than a golf tee, the Nguru pygmy chameleon tends to hide among leaf litter on forest floors. But why are they important to local farmers? The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you…
Sea otters: favourite rocks and tummy tables

June 6, 2025 · 10 min

Diving to depths of around 20 metres, sea otters can access all kinds of food but they often need the help of their favourite rock to crack open their catch. No bigger than a golf tee, the Nguru pygmy chameleon tends to hide among leaf…

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Darwin's frog: ‘pregnant’ males and a 7,000 mile journey

May 30, 2025 · 12 min

After a deadly fungus spread through the rainforests in southern Chile, conservationists embarked on a rescue mission to save Darwin's frog. The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by…
Long-Beaked Echidna: Attenborough’s elusive creature rediscovered

May 23, 2025 · 11 min

Sixty-two years after Attenborough's long-beaked echidna was last scientifically recorded, Expedition Cyclops went on a mission to find out whether the species still exists in the Cyclops Mountains. You can find out more about the…
Saiga Antelope: humungous noses and countless comebacks

May 16, 2025 · 10 min

Having roamed since the Ice Age, Saiga Antelope are no stranger to harsh conditions. But as mass mortality events leave their population extremely vulnerable, how have they managed to make countless comebacks? The Animal Sensemaker - one…
Beavers: waffle tails and river lodges

May 9, 2025 · 11 min

After being extinct in England for centuries, beavers are making a comeback thanks to a new license permitting their wild release. How could their dam building prevent flooding and droughts? You can find out more about the beaver here…
Chinese Giant Salamander: the living fossils

May 2, 2025 · 8 min

As the world's largest surviving amphibian, Chinese giant salamanders haven't changed much in their 170 million years on earth. So what does life look like for these "living fossils"? You can find out more about the Chinese giant…
Stingless Bee: keeping the rainforest blooming

April 25, 2025 · 11 min

In the Amazon and tropical places around the world, armies of stingless bees spend their days collecting nectar from plants and flowers across the forest. The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought…
Pygmy hippo: The internet’s chunky best friend

April 18, 2025 · 10 min

Pygmy hippos are the most internet-famous species around, thanks to viral sensation Moo Deng – but in the wild these creatures are shy, elusive and incredibly rare. The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world…

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About the show

One animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by The Observer and On the Edge. To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.